Exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device is disclosed that is designed to roll. It has an indentation that is adapted to receive a user&#39;s spine and two cushioned areas that is adapted to receive the areas of the users back around the spine. The device may be made from several pieces which may be mechanically coupled.

BACKGROUND

Stretching and strengthening can assist virtually any person be more flexible and strong and be able to withstand the physical impact of daily life. However, many people find stretching and muscle strengthening to be difficult as stretching and strengthening can be painful, especially if the person has a pre-existing injury. In addition, people who start stretching and strengthening often need support to ensure they do not stretch too far or push too hard and injure themselves. Further, as stretching and strengthening can be painful and dangerous, it would be nice if there was a way to make stretching and strengthening fun.

In the past, devices have been created that can assist with stretching and strengthening. Common devices have included weights, ropes, elastic devices and other assisting devices. However, these devices are not designed to take into account that certain parts of a body may need more support than other parts. Similarly, the human body is not flat like a board but has a variety of shapes which modern exercise equipment often fails to take into account.

SUMMARY

At a high level, the exercise device may operate similar to a large, inflated ball but may have several advantages over a ball. First, the device has a center indentation designed to accept the spine of a user. Using the device, a user can stretch and strengthen their back and core but not place undesired pressure on their spine. Further, the device reduces the chances for pinched nerves.

More specifically, the device may have an inner core that has great strength to support a human torso without collapsing but may be light enough to make transporting the device easy. The device may be wide enough to support a human torso and may be difficult to unintentionally roll over. The device may have a radius sufficient to cause a human leaning on the device to stretch their muscles when learning across the device. The device may have a covering that is pliable but firm. The covering may provide some give but may be firm enough to support the torso of an individual. The covering may be firm enough to allow the device to roll with pressure from a human body but soft enough to not cause a user pain. As mentioned previously, there may be an indentation for a human spine. In addition, each end may have a covering of a different density that allows a person to feel when they are no longer centered on the device.

Other advantages to the device may become apparent as the illustrations of the various embodiments are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the exercise device;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway illustration of the exercise device;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the device being used with a user's spine centered on the indentation;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the device with a user's spine not centered on the indentation;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the device with a user and the user's spine not being centered on the cushioning areas of the device;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the device where the elements are releasably connected; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a method of creating the device.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 may illustrate an exercise device 100 with an indentation 105 for a user's spine. The device 100 may be more comfortable for users and allow more people to use the device 100 including those with back injuries which might be aggravated by pressure as from traditional exercise devices like large inflatable balls. Other advantages will become apparent from the description and illustrations.

The device 100 may have a variety of purposes. In some situations, the device 100 may be used to support an average human while the human attempts to stretch, for example, stretch their back. The user may gradually lean across the device 100 and the device 100 may allow the user to stretch their back across the device 100 while the device 100 supports the user's back. In other situations, the device 100 may provide support while the user attempts to perform strengthening exercises such as sit ups or crunches.

In each situation, the indentation 105 may have a variety of purposes. In one aspect, the indentation 105 may allow a user's spine to not be compressed while the user lays across the device 100. Thus, even users with spinal issues may be able to use the device 100. At the same time, the device may provide some minimal support to a user's spine when sufficient pressure is applied to the device 100.

In another aspect, the indentation 105 may assist a user in ensuring they are properly centered in the device 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5, if a user is not properly centered, the device 100 may lean or in extreme cases, the device 100 may flip over. By having a center indentation 105, the user may know without looking that they are safely centered on the device 100 and that the user may proceed to use the device 100 with less concern that the device 100 may flip or slip over.

The device 100 may be made of a variety of elements which may be specifically designed to meet the purposes of the device and the intended environment and the intended user. A center support 115 may be provided that is adapted to support the weight of a stretching human and the cushions 130 that are installed on the center support 115. In one embodiment, the center support 115 is made from high strength tubing such as an aluminum tube which is strong, light and rust resistant. In another embodiment, the center support 115 is made from a high strength cardboard or plastic material. In yet another embodiment, the center support 115 may be made from carbon fiber which may have great strength, light weight but may be expensive in comparison to other materials. Of course, the center support 115 may be made from any material that meets the functional requirements of providing support to a desired user and meeting the weight requirements of the given environment.

In yet another embodiment, the center support 115 may not be tubing but may be a solid piece of material such as a solid piece of aluminum or steel. The solid core of the center support may provide great strength but may provide excess weight which may be undesirable in embodiments where the device 100 is intended to be easily transportable. In some extreme cases, a solid core may be desirable to provide the necessary strength for an intended environment, such as working with users with extreme obesity.

In some embodiments, the center support 115 may pass all the way through the device. The center support 115 may be a continuous piece of material such as an extrusion of aluminum, plastic, or a continuous tube of cardboard. As the device 100 is a continuous piece, it may have strength and ease of use.

In some embodiments, the center support 115 may be made up of at least two interlocking pieces. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the entire device 100 may be split into interlocking pieces. The ability to split the device 100 into pieces may make the device 100 easier to transport. In addition, depending on the desired use, different users may desire or require different cushioning sections 120 or center indentations 105 of different widths. As an example, a large user may require a cushioning section 120 that is wider than a padded section for a child. Similarly, a user that is just using the device 100 to stretch may not need the device 100 to roll. In such a case, the padding may be thicker or softer, which may allow the device 100 to assist in stretching but may make it difficult to roll.

By allowing the device 100 to be made up of interlocking sections, the device 100 may be appropriate for even more situations. For example, a first user made require an indentation 105 with a significant amount of support as the user may have a spine that requires some support. A second user may have a spine that is extremely sensitive and may require no support. By changing the parts that make up the device 100, both the first and second user may be accommodated by the device.

The sections or parts of the device 105 may lock together in a variety of known ways. In some embodiments, a twist and lock mechanism may be used. In other embodiments, a friction fit may be used. In yet another embodiment, a mechanical connection such as a bolt or pin (that is covered for safety) may be used. In yet another embodiment, straps of Velcro may be used to hold the sections together. In yet an additional embodiment, there may be a plurality of threaded parts and a plurality of thread accepting parts (similar to pipes and couplers) which may allow the device 100 to be screwed together. As an example, the end portions 110 may have threads and the indentation portion 105 may have threads while the cushioning portions 120 may accept threads, allowing the end portions 110 to be threaded onto the cushioning portions 120 and the indentation portion 105 to be threaded to the cushioning portions 120 to create the device 100. Of course, a combination of these locking features may be used. By allowing the device 100 to be made of connectable sections, the flexibility of the device 100 may be increased. For example, the same center support 115 may be used with adults and children by changing the cushioning pads 130 as children may use smaller cushioning pads 130 than adults. Similarly, some users may desire cushioning pads 130 that are harder than others.

In yet another embodiment of the device 100, the cushioning pads 130 may be removable. The cushioning pads 130 may be held in place with friction, Velcro straps, snaps, or other fasteners which may be removed to allow the cushioning pads 130 to be removed and reinstalled. In this way, the proper cushions 130 may be installed for each specific user. For example, some users may require a stiffer cushion 130 to allow easy rolling while other users may require a softer cushion 130 which may make rolling more difficult. By allowing the cushioning pads 130 to be removed, the flexibility of the device 100 may be increased. For example, the same center support 115 may be used with adults and children by changing the cushioning pads 130 as children may use smaller cushioning pads 130 than adults. Similarly, some users may desire cushioning pads 130 that are harder than others.

In some embodiments, the center support 115 may have a not round shape such as the shape of a square, rectangle, triangle, pentagram, octagon or any other shape that may be determined. A covering may be adapted to interface with the shape of the center support 115. The non-round shape may offer the advantage of providing ridges that may ensure the cushioning pads 130 may not slip and may be easier to control. In addition, if the device 100 leans over, the ridges may assist in stopping the device 100 from rolling in an unintended manner.

The radius of the cushioning areas 120 of the device 100 may be sufficient to require muscles to stretch when a human torso is placed over it. At the same time, there may be different sized devices 100 depending on the intended audience. In some embodiments, the device 100 may be intended for kids or smaller children in which the radius may be smaller. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be intended for larger adults or taller humans and may have a larger radius.

The width of the device 100 may be sufficient to support a human torso and to be rollover resistant. If the width is too small, the device 100 may roll over to easily. If the width is too large, the device 100 may be difficult to move or difficult to roll. In some embodiments, the width of the device may be 50% greater than the width of the human torso to be used. Of course, the width may be adjusted as desired and 50% is just one embodiment and there are many embodiments.

As mentioned previously, the device 100 may have a first cushioning area 120 on a first portion of the center support 115 adapted to provide cushion to a human and a second cushioning area 120 on a second portion of the center support 115 adapted to provide cushioning to a living being while using the device. The width of the cushioning area 120 may vary depending on a variety of factors. For example, if kids will be using the device 100, the width of the cushioning area 120 may be more narrow while if the device 100 is to be used with obese adults, the width of the cushioning area 120 may be wider. Of course, there may be a variety of widths between those two extremes. Similarly, the width of the cushioning area 120 may take into account the intended use, environment, users, etc.

In some embodiments, the first and second cushioning areas 120 are covered with cushioning material 130 adapted to gently but firmly support a torso. The cushioning material 130 may be made from a variety of materials depending on the use. In some embodiments, the material 130 is a foam based product that is covered with a covering material, such as a fabric or a plastic covering. The covering material may be water and sweat resistant and may be wiped down when it is needed. In another embodiment, the covering material may be removable, such as through a zipper, and may be washable in a traditional washing machine or through dry cleaning. In other embodiments, the cushioning material 130 does not have a covering. In other embodiments, the cushioning material 130 is a gel that is enclosed in a bladder.

In yet another embodiment, the cushioning material 130 is a bladder that may be inflated to a desire density. In the inflatable example, the bladder may have marks that indicate the stress on the bladder and may relate to the cushioning provided by the bladder at that inflation pressure. In some embodiments, the bladder may be filled with air but other materials such as gel, water, etc. In other embodiments, a sensor in the bladder may indicate the pressure inside the bladder. An advantage of the bladder is that it may be deflated for easier transportation and storage. Moreover, the bladder may be deflated for easy removal and inflated to provide tension to assist in attaching the bladder to the spindle 115. In addition, the bladder may be inflated to a variety of pressures to withstand a variety of users, usage environments and usage exercises. The bladder may be enclosed in a removable material which may be washable in a traditional washing machine or through dry cleaning methods, depending on the material.

The cushioning material 130 may have sufficient density to provide cushioning as desired for the specific application. For example, if the exercise requires the device 100 to roll, the cushioning material 130 may have to be of a density to allow the device 100 to roll while weight, such as a human torso, is applied to the device 100. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be used just for stretching and the cushioning material 130 may be softer as the device 100 may not have to roll.

Similarly, the weight that is to be applied may have an effect on the appropriate cushioning material 130 density. Children may be a lighter weight and may require a less dense cushioning material 130. At the same time, a heavily obese user of the device 100 may require a more dense cushioning material 130.

The height of the cushion material 130 on the cushioning portions 120 may be roughly equal and may be higher than the indentation 105. In some embodiments, the cushioning portions 120 may extend to the ends of the center support 115 (not shown) or the cushion portions 120 may stop short of the ends of the center support 115 creating an end region 110 of a lower height of cushioning. The lower height may be useful to indicate to a user by feel that the user is or is not centered on the cushioning portions 120 of the device 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user will be able to feel that their spine is not on the indentation 115. Similarly, in FIG. 3 the user will be able to easily tell that their spine is appropriately centered on the indentation 115.

Further, the end regions 110 may provide an intermediate stop to ensure that the device 100 does not entirely tip over. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if the device 100 begins to tip, the end regions 110 touch the floor which will impede the falling motion. In addition, the user will feel that the end regions 110 have touched the floor and will realize that there is a problem. The end regions 110 may be covered in a material that is of a different density than the cushioning region, such as being more dense. The different density may indicate to a user that the user is not on center on the device 100 as the end region 110 will feel differently than the cushioning region 120.

The indentation 115 may also be adaptable to a variety of users and uses. In some embodiments, the indentation 115 is “u” shaped, with angular edges. In other embodiments, the edges are more rounded and the indentation 115 is a “v” shape. In some embodiments, the bottom of the indentation 115 is covered with padding and in other embodiments, the bottom of the indentation 115 is left uncovered. The depth of the indentation 115 is varied depending on the use and the users. If the spine needs slight support, then some support of the indentation 115 may be provided. If the spine needs to be left alone, then the depth of the indentation 115 may be deeper. Similarly, the width of the indentation 115 may be wide enough that a spine can fit into the indentation 115. The width is adjustable for a variety of uses, users and purposes.

The actual creation of the device may be a series of steps depending on embodiment of the device. In a simple embodiment, a sturdy center support 115 is covered with two cushioning materials 130 which are wide enough to cushion a living being separated by an indentation 105 that is adapted to receive a spine of a user. The cushioning material 130 may be foam strips that are glued or affixed to the center support 115.

In a more complex embodiment, the device 100 may be purpose built, even being made for a specific user. An example may be illustrated in FIG. 7. At block 700, the exercise for the user may be received. The exercise may simply be stretching or may be a series of exercises which utilize the device 100. The exercises may relate to how the device is constructed, with especially rigorously exercises requiring a more sturdy device 100 and simple stretching requiring a less sturdy device 100.

At block 710, a user may be measured to obtain user data. The user data may take into account the user's weight, height and size. The size may take into account the circumference of the user's chest, hips and length of legs as well as any other measurements that may be related to the exercises envisioned for the user. The measurement may be accomplished through simple questions/answers, using a measuring device such as a tape measure or an automated device such as a body scanner.

At block 720, the intended use and the user data may be analyzed to determine device data where the device data relates to the device 100 to be constructed. The device data may have a variety of aspects. The width of the device 100 may be determined to provide sufficient support to the specific user as the width should, at a minimum, be wider than the user. If the user is known to have issues staying on the device 100, it may be determined to make the device 100 wider than normal to assist in keeping the user on the device 100 and in keeping the device 100 from tipping over.

Similarly, the indentation 105 width and depth may be determined. As an example, if the user requires spine support, the indentation depth should be set to provide support based on the compressibility of the cushion material 130. If the user requires that the spine be free from contact, the depth of the indentation 105 may be set deeper and wider based on the compressibility of the cushioning material. Further, if the activity is going to be vigorous and the user has a sensitive spine, the width may be greater and the depth of the indentation 105 may be greater. Related, the covering of the indentation 105 area may be determined in a similar manner. For example, if the user requires gentle spine support, a compressible foam covering may be used whereas if the user needs spine support, a more dense compressible foam covering may be used.

Additional device data may relate to the material for center support 115. If the device 100 is going to be subject to a user of great weight or to vigorous exercise, the center support 115 material may be a stronger material whereas if the device 100 is going to be used for a small child, the material may be a less strong material. Further, if the device 100 is going to be transported, a lighter material may be a better choice.

Device data also may include determining the cushioning material 130 data. The cushioning material data may include determining the width of cushioning material. The width may be related to the size of the user in that the width should be greater than the user. The height of the cushioning material 130 and the compressibility of the cushioning material 130 may relate to the weight of the user and the user of the device 100. If the user is heavy, a more dense cushioning material 130 may be selected and if the user is light, a less dense cushioning material 130 may be required. If the use requires rolling, a more dense cushioning material 130 may be selected and if the user does not require rolling, a less dense material may be required. If the exercise is more vigorous, a more dense material 130 may be selected while if the exercise is less vigorous, a less dense material may be selected. Further, a measurement of a compression factor may be used where the compression factor relates to the compression of the cushioning material 130 per pound of pressure.

At block 730, a manner of attachment of the cushioning material 130 may be determined. If the device 100 is going to be used in a vigorous manner, the cushioning material 130 may be attached in a more secure manner and if the device 100 is going to be used in a less vigorous manner, the cushioning material 130 may be attached in a less secure manner. Similarly, if the device 100 is going to be used for more than one user, it may be logical to attach the cushioning material 130 in a removable manner.

At block 740, a covering for the various elements of the device 100 may be determined. If the device is going to be vigorously rolling, the covering may be need to be more durable whereas if the device 100 is going to be used in a controlled manner, the covering may need to be less durable. Further, if the center support 115 is made of cardboard that may wear, it may be wise to cover the cardboard with a more durable material.

In some embodiments, the method may be simply accomplished by adding the relevant pieces. For example, there may be in inventory of indentation sections 105. The indentation sections 105 may have a variety of widths and depths. The desired indentation section may be selected and added to the device 100. Similarly, the cushion sections 120 and end sections 110 may be selected according to the analysis and may be added to the device 100 along with the cushioning material 130. Thus, there may be a virtually limitless number of combinations of widths, depths, densities, etc.

The detailed description of the various embodiments is not intended to be limiting but is simply to illustrate some examples of how the device 100 may be created as it would be impossible to describe all the possible variations of the device 100 and making the device 100. Certainly, there are additional manners of creating the device and different/additional embodiment of the device 100 that are possible and are contemplated without deviating from the spirit of the device 100. 

1. A device to assist in physical conditioning comprising A center support adapted to support the weight of a stretching human comprising A radius sufficient to require muscles to stretch when a human torso is placed over it; A width sufficient to support a human torso and to be rollover resistant; A first cushioning area on a first portion of the center support adapted to provide cushion to a human; A second cushioning area on a second portion of the center support adapted to provide cushion to a human; An indentation between the first cushioning area and the second cushioning area wherein the indentation corresponds to a width and depth greater than that of a spine; A first edge comprising an area from a first center support edge to the first cushioning area wherein the first edge comprises a different elevation than the first cushioning area; A second edge comprising an area from a second center support edge to the second cushioning area wherein the second edge comprises a different elevation than the second cushioning area; and A resilient covering the covers the cushioning later.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first cushioning area and second are at a first elevation.
 3. The device of claim 1, where the first edge and the second edge are at a second elevation.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the indentation is at the second elevation.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the difference between the first elevation and the second elevation is noticeable to a human torso.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second cushioning areas are covered with cushioning material adapted to gently but firmly support a human torso.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first edge and the second edge are covered with higher density material than the cushioning areas.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the width of the first cushion area, the indentation and second cushioning area are sufficient to support a human body.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second cushioning areas are covered with a cushioning material that is adapted to allow the device to roll on a surface while supporting the weight of an exercising human.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning areas are inflatable.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable cushioning areas have marks which indicate a measure of pressure in the cushioning area.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning areas are filled with a gel.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning material is removable.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning material comprises a cover wherein the cover is removable and washable.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning area is connected to the indentation area using a releasable connection.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the releasable connection is at least one selected from a group comprising a threaded connection, a friction fit connection, a twist-lock connection, a snap connection and Velcro connection. 